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Prepositions with nouns

“Of”, “with”, “to”, “for” or “on” alcohol?

Different prepositions with alcohol have different meanings. Common standard patterns include addicted to alcohol, drinks with alcohol, and products for alcohol storage or cleaning. On alcohol can describe a person's condition or dependence in context.

Quick answer

Which preposition should you use with alcohol?

Use to alcohol after words like addicted or exposed. Use with alcohol for drinks or products containing alcohol. Use for alcohol to show purpose. On alcohol can describe a state caused by alcohol in some contexts. Of alcohol usually follows another noun, such as the smell of alcohol.

He became addicted to alcohol in his twenties.
This sauce is made with alcohol but cooked slowly.
They bought wipes for alcohol testing.
The driver seemed on alcohol according to witnesses.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
addicted to + alcohol

Talking about dependence

Use to alcohol after adjectives or nouns related to addiction, dependence, or exposure.

She is recovering from being addicted to alcohol.
Long-term exposure to alcohol can damage the liver.
2
with + alcohol

Describing drinks or products containing alcohol

Use with alcohol for things that contain alcohol or are served together with it.

I prefer desserts with alcohol removed.
They ordered cocktails with alcohol for the party.
3
for + alcohol

Showing purpose or intended use

Use for alcohol when something is intended for storing, testing, or handling alcohol.

The laboratory uses special containers for alcohol samples.
They bought a licence for alcohol sales.
4
noun + of alcohol

Expressing amount, smell, or type

Use of alcohol after another noun to describe quantity, presence, or category.

The smell of alcohol filled the room.
A small amount of alcohol remained in the bottle.
5
on + alcohol

Describing a condition or influence

On alcohol can describe someone affected by alcohol, especially in informal or legal contexts. It is less common than drunk or under the influence.

The report claimed he was on alcohol at the time.
The worker was found on alcohol during the shift.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
to alcohol
He developed a strong reaction to alcohol.
Used after words showing reaction, exposure, or addiction.
with alcohol
This beer is brewed with alcohol.
Shows content or accompaniment.
for alcohol
The shop applied for alcohol sales permission.
Shows purpose or intended use.
on alcohol
The officer suspected the driver was on alcohol.
Describes being affected by alcohol in certain contexts.
of alcohol
The taste of alcohol was very strong.
Used after another noun to show relation, amount, or quality.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using on alcohol for ordinary drinking

On alcohol is limited and contextual. For normal consumption, use drink alcohol or be drunk.

✕ We were on alcohol at dinner. ✓ We drank alcohol at dinner.

Using addicted with on

Addicted takes the preposition to.

✕ She is addicted on alcohol. ✓ She is addicted to alcohol.

Using with alcohol for dependence

With alcohol usually means containing alcohol, not dependence.

✕ He struggles with alcohol addiction and is addicted with alcohol. ✓ He struggles with alcohol addiction and is addicted to alcohol.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She is allergic ___ alcohol.
2. They ordered a dessert ___ alcohol.
3. The smell ___ alcohol was noticeable.

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Frequently asked questions

Is on alcohol grammatically correct?

It can be correct in certain contexts, especially to describe someone affected by alcohol, but it is less common than drunk or under the influence of alcohol.

What is the difference between with alcohol and to alcohol?

With alcohol describes content or accompaniment, while to alcohol usually follows words about reaction, addiction, or exposure.

Can I say of alcohol without another noun?

Usually no. Of alcohol normally follows another noun, such as smell of alcohol or amount of alcohol.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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